Plural Tanks Or Compartments Connected For Serial Flow Patents (Class 137/571)
  • Patent number: 6321784
    Abstract: An oil-storing device for a bike saucer-brake includes two oil-storing chambers formed in an interior of a grip, a plate separating the two oil-storing chambers. The plate has a hole communicating two oil-storing chambers for brake oil to flow through. Further, an oil delivery pipe is provided inserting into an outlet tubular portion of the grip, extending inward to reach on the plate, communicating with either of the two oil storing chambers through a sucking hole. Thus, the two oil-storing chambers can store more oil, sucking in oil back to prevent snap locking of the brake from happening. Therefore the device insures safety of a rider in riding even if a bike inclines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Tony Leng
  • Patent number: 6318398
    Abstract: A fuel expansion device for a vehicle fuel tank, the device comprising a housing formed of a first housing member and a second housing member, both made of an essentially impermeable material and being sealingly and impermeably attached to one another. At least one inlet port for fuel fluid ingress is formed in the first member and is in flow communication with the fuel tank, and an outlet port is formed in the second member connectable to a fuel fluid handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Raviv Precision Injection Molding
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Udi Orenstein, Zohar Moalem
  • Publication number: 20010035215
    Abstract: A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Larry J. Tipton, Richard W. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6276395
    Abstract: The processing installation comprises a processing machine 12 provided with a tank 14 and a recycling device 22 linked to the tank 14 by a feeding pipe 26 enabling a first pump 24 firmly attached to the recycling device 22 to take the liquid from the tank with a set flow rate, to treat the liquid taken and to send the treated liquid back to the tank through a return pipe 28. The feeding pipe has at least one zone that is situated at a lower level than the tank level and that is provided with two conduits 30 and 32 arranged parallel, and a second pump 34 arranged on one of the two conduits 30 as to automatically un-primed the first pump 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Olivier Poncelet, Gilles Clavellier, Pierre Thevenet
  • Patent number: 6260542
    Abstract: In a fuel supply system with a main tank (1), with a splash pot (4), with a pump (7) fed from the splash pot and with connecting lines (5, 18) for the pump, according to the invention the latter is arranged in the main tank (1) outside the splash pot (4) and is connected to the latter via at least one suction line (5) integrally formed fixedly onto an inner wall (3) of the main tank. It is particularly advantageous if that portion of the forward-run line (18) which is to be connected to the pump is also integrally formed fixedly onto the inner wall, because the pump can then be fluidically connected very simply and quickly by being plugged on. As a further option, the electric connection (24-27) of the pump can also be made in one operation with the fluidic contacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Christian Kochsmeier, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6253801
    Abstract: An air and gas vessel (1) having a downward opening is mounted within a tank (10, 20) for transport of liquid, e.g., oil. From the top side of the vessel runs a conduit (2) toward the inlet of the bridging hose (5) to the next tank. The conduit (2) may be closed by means of a cock (3). When the tank is filled with liquid from level A with the cock (3) closed, a volume will be stored in the vessel (1) when the tank is filled to level B. In order to drain the bridging hose (5), the cock (3) is opened. The confined air/gas volume will use up into the bridging hose (5) and the liquid volume will run back into the tank. The tanks may then be closed by means of the cocks (4) prior to starting the transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Green Trac Holding A/S
    Inventor: Svein Olaf Lie
  • Patent number: 6237627
    Abstract: A secondary fluid delivery system for use in a vehicle having a windshield washer system which includes a primary fluid reservoir for supplying windshield washer fluid to a windshield, the secondary fluid delivery system comprising a cover designed to fit on a retail container of windshield washer fluid, conduits extending between the retail container and the primary fluid reservoir, a pump operatively connected to pump windshield fluid from the retail container to the primary fluid reservoir, and sensing means for sensing fluid levels both within the primary fluid reservoir and the retail container. The system may be provided in both manual and automatic modes, the manual mode being under the control of the vehicle operator to transfer fluid when required while with the automatic system, the transfer of fluid is automatically initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Bernard R. Boule
  • Patent number: 6227230
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank assembly for a vehicle. A plurality of LPG tanks are communicated one with another through liquid-phase and gas-phase communication pipes and are secured one to another by connection brackets. A plurality of mounting brackets are fastened at one ends thereof to one ends of the plurality of LPG tanks, respectively, and at the other ends thereof to a body of the vehicle, thereby to prevent the connection brackets and the communication pipes from being damaged or broken due to vibration or impact which is generated in or exerted to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae-ho Huh
  • Patent number: 6196805
    Abstract: A fluid ladder or a fluid lifter and a method for lifting a liquid or a flowable or fluid-like material such as grains, sand, soil, and the like from one level to a higher level preferably through oscillation. The fluid ladder is capable of lifting fluids without the use of conventionally known pump devices and without the need for energy sources such as electrical energy, combustion energy and the like. The apparatus may be operable using energy sources such as that provided by muscles e.g., the muscle use of a human being or animal or the energy provided by oscillatory wave motion of a body of fluid. The fluid ladder lifts fluid through a series of, or a plurality of, reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Peter V. Reilley
  • Patent number: 6167899
    Abstract: A water transporting device has a sealed water tank, a water channel device, and a pressure reduction tank. The water channel device has a lowest water box, a plurality of water boxes, a highest water box, a plurality of chambers between two of the water boxes, and a plurality of connection pipes. Each connection pipe is connected to two of the water boxes. Each connection pipe has a water outlet hole in one of the water boxes. A water inlet tube is connected to the sealed water tank. A water outlet tube is connected to the sealed water tank and the lowest water box. A connection tube is connected to the pressure reduction tank and the highest water box. A water outlet pipe is connected to the pressure reduction tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Chung-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 6161575
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing fluid communication between a process chamber and a dry pump without contamination problem are disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a conduit that has at least one gate valve installed therein for opening or closing the conduit and a T-shaped cold trap to collect large size contaminating particles. The present invention apparatus is effective in preventing particle contamination to the process chamber by a siphoning or backsteam effect when a dry pump failure occurs. While the present invention apparatus and method may be used in any deposition process which produces reaction by-products, or contaminating particles, it is particularly suitable for use in a TEOS oxide deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Heing Yi Tseng, Mason Juang
  • Patent number: 6148846
    Abstract: The waste liquid collection and transfer system includes at least one waste liquid transfer vessel that has a liquid input valve and a liquid output valve for controlling the flow of waste liquid therethrough. A pressurized gas liquid transfer system including at least one control valve is utilized to provide pressurized gas to said vessel to control the flow of liquid therefrom. A liquid drain line is engaged from the vessel to a liquid collection tank, and a liquid level alarm device is engaged to the tank to provide an alarm if the level in the tank becomes too high. An electronic system controller is engaged to the alarm device and to the various valves to control the flow of liquid throughout the system. When an alarm signal is received by the system controller the vessels are first emptied and thereafter allowed to become full, acting in this instance as additional waste liquid storage containers. When the vessels are full, the system controller shuts down the flow of liquid to the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Chemand Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Schell
  • Patent number: 6142179
    Abstract: Apparatus for feeding fuel to an engine is disclosed including a storage tank and a supply tank, the storage tank having a substantially greater volume than the supply tank, a filter, a first conduit for feeding the fuel from the storage tank to the filter to provide filtered fuel, a second conduit for feeding the filtered fuel from the filter to the supply tank, a third conduit for supplying the filtered fuel from the supply tank to the engine, and a fourth conduit for recirculating excess fuel from the supply tank to the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Aegir Bjornsson, Bjorn Bjornsson, Arvid Corneliussen
  • Patent number: 6116454
    Abstract: A rotomolded hydraulic oil tank includes an integral dividing baffle which strengthens the tank structure, and diverts and slows returning oil for better air removal and oil mixing. This occurs by positioning the dividing baffle so that the top of the baffle is just below the oil level in the tank so that returning oil must flow a greater distance around the baffle at a reduced velocity thereby increasing the time the oil is in the tank before exiting the tank through the tank suction. The lower velocity of the oil and the increased passage time allows air in the returning oil more time to float to the surface of the oil in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Henderson, William C. Swick, Reid W. Waitt
  • Patent number: 6116266
    Abstract: An improved open topped vessel (10) for receiving and containing a liquid, substantially made from plastics, comprises a housing having an upper wall (11) defining a catchment area with a well (17) at its lowermost point; a sump (19) remote from the well (17); and a pipe (18) connecting the well (17) to the sump (19). The vessel (10) is constructed so that thermal expression of the upper wall (11) and causes controlled downward movement of the well (11) without resulting in low point liquid traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Retriever Products Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Dickison, Anthony Kearney, David Pullman
  • Patent number: 6105617
    Abstract: An apparatus for the storage and chemical treatment of a fluid incorporating a container in fluid communication with a tank through a check valve. A solid material is retained within container while being dissolved in fluid. A mesh prevents the migration of solid material into the check valve or tank. Check valve prevents the release of fluid from the tank in the event that cap is opened under pressurized conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: General Elelectric Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Spriegel, Fenton M. Fitzpatrick, James E. Przepyszny
  • Patent number: 6098213
    Abstract: A water temperature regulator having a closed container that is provided with a cold-water inlet pipe and a hot-water inlet pipe having flow control connected thereto for introducing cold and hot water, respectively, into the container at a desired flow rate, a discharge pipe for guiding water in the container to an external water storage, at least one water service pipe for guiding water in the container to at least one water supply outlet, such as a showerhead or a faucet, at least one control for controlling open/close of the discharge pipe and of the at least one water service pipe, and a water temperature indicator for showing a temperature of water in the container. Instead of being drained, water introduced into the container that has not reached a desired temperature is discharged to and stored in the water storage for reuse later without being unnecessarily wasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hen-Tsung Chen
    Inventor: Li-Tsan Chu
  • Patent number: 6021988
    Abstract: A housing pan for receiving a fluid delivery pump for a delivery aggregate for delivering fuel from a fuel tank has a pan body, a unit forming a supply opening for flowing fluid and open into an interior of the pan body, a pan bottom, a unit forming a part-ring shaped flow passage located concentrically into an axis of a pan body in an interior of the pan body at an axial distance from the pan body, the flow passage having a passage entry which communicates with the supply opening and also having a passage wall which is located inwardly in a radial direction and is provided with a plurality of throughgoing slots, the throughgoing slots being spaced from one another over a length of the flow passage and extending in a longitudinal direction of the flow passage, the throughgoing slots having lower slot edges located closer to the pan bottom and arranged at least near a passage bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Frank, Michael Huebel, Ulrich Projahn
  • Patent number: 6016834
    Abstract: A dual tank storage system for fuel having gaseous and liquid phases where one tank is a main storage tank and the other is an expansion tank. The system has a valve assembly on the exterior of the system for permitting fuel to flow from the main storage tank to the expansion tank in order to relieve pressure in the main storage tank. The valve assembly permits only the main storage tank to be filled. The fact that fuel can flow from the main storage compartment to the expansion compartment to relieve pressure from the main storage compartment allows the main storage tank to be filled to 100% capacity. The valve assembly includes a valve chamber and a valve plunger movable in the chamber between a normal operating position and a tank filling position. A coil spring biases the plunger towards the normal operating position. A filling port for fuel leads to the valve chamber which opens into a port of the storage tank. Fuel is drawn only from the expansion tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jacob John Leidl
  • Patent number: 5975108
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically collecting and exhausting drainage discharged from a semiconductor fabrication system, including a drainage collector for storing drainage discharged from the semiconductor fabrication system, a drainage tank for storing the drainage output from the drain collector, and a liquid separator provided between the drainage collector and the drainage tank. The drainage collector receives and stores the drainage output from the drain collector. The liquid separator, provided between the drainage collector and the drainage tank, receives and stores the drainage output from the drainage collector under a first condition in accordance with a difference between a vacuum pressure and the atmospheric pressure, and allows the drainage stored in the drainage collector to flow into the drainage tank in a second condition based on a difference between the vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Sup Cho
  • Patent number: 5975132
    Abstract: An underground secondary containment system that is preassembled to a large extent at a manufacturing site prior to shipping to the site of installation. In this manner, the time expended at the site of installation in installing the underground secondary containment system is reduced. The underground secondary containment system includes a double walled fuel storage tank having isolated adjoining compartments for storing two different grades of fuel. A pair of dispenser sumps are mounted on the fuel storage tank at opposite ends thereof. A pair of tank sumps are mounted on the fuel storage tanks above the corresponding compartments. Each tank sump is connected to each of the dispenser sumps via flexible piping which extends along the exterior of the fuel storage tank. In this manner, two different grades of gasoline can be provided to each dispenser without utilizing piping disposed internally of the fuel storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Total Containment, Inc.
    Inventor: Bentley Francis Gleeson
  • Patent number: 5967183
    Abstract: A fuel vapor canister purge control valve assembly has an electric valve and a pressure regulator valve for connection at its inlet to a canister fluidically in series in a common housing. The electric valve has a spherical magnetically permeable operator biased closed against the seat by a balanced rotary armature. A C-shaped solenoid pole frame defines diametrally oppositely disposed radial working air gaps with the armature. Upon PWM energization of the solenoid, the armature rotation permits the spherical valve member to move from the seat to open the valve. A venturi is formed in the electric valve inlet and the venturi throat has a pressure tap connected to provide a reference pressure for one side of the pressure regulator diaphragm. The opposite side of the regulator diaphragm has an elastomeric obturator and is exposed to the outlet pressure of the electric valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Detweiler, Daniel L. DeLand, Barbara J. Erickson, Gerrit V. Beneker
  • Patent number: 5960513
    Abstract: A pump-free automobile window washer system for providing a continuous supply of window washer fluid for use with a window washing squeegee. The window washer system has a reservoir tank with a lid, which may be locked in place, and, at least one dispenser, having a lid which may be locked in place with an aperture formed therein for receipt of automobile window washing squeegee. The reservoir and dispenser are interconnected by tubing. A filter is positioned within the dispenser for removing impurities from the window washer fluid contained in the dispenser, the filter may be removed for cleaning and replaced within dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Beshah
  • Patent number: 5958252
    Abstract: A waste treatment device includes a waste holding tank for receiving waste, a solids-gas processor operably connected to the waste holding tank, an aqueous holding tank operably connected to the processor and the waste holding tank and an aqueous purification device operably connected to the aqueous holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: MicroSepTic, Inc.
    Inventor: R. C. Shades
  • Patent number: 5954078
    Abstract: A buffer tank and pre-wetting apparatus prevent a liquid chemical waste from crystalizing on the inside walls of a drain pipe that carries the waste to a waste tank. The pre-wetting apparatus includes a pre-wetting tank with an overflow pipe that leads to the waste tank drain pipe. A water supply is connected to fill the pre-wetting tank to the rim of the overflow pipe and then overflow to wet the inside walls of the drain pipe before waste from the buffer tank is transferred through the overflow pipe and to the drain pipe and the waste tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lien-Hsiang Chiang, Ying-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 5913294
    Abstract: An outboard motor for a watercraft includes a simply structured fuel supply system of a smaller size and a longer life than prior fuel supply systems. The fuel supply system includes a delivery fuel tank carried by the outboard motor. Fuel is pumped from an external fuel supply tank carried by the watercraft to the delivery fuel tank by a low-pressure fuel pump located within the outboard motor. A control system controls the low-pressure fuel pump so that a predetermined level of fuel is maintained in the delivery fuel tank. The control system includes a fluid level detection sensor that detects the level of fuel within the delivery fuel tank and produces a corresponding signal indicative of the fuel level. A control unit circuit receives the fluid level signal and determines if the fluid level in the tank is higher or lower than a predetermined maximum fuel level. If the fluid level is determined to be higher than a maximum fuel level, the control unit circuit deactivates the low-pressure fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Takahashi, Hitoshi Watanabe, Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5904179
    Abstract: A check valve assembly mounted on an end surface of a projection of a valve body. The check valve assembly includes a valve having a sealing surface on one side and a stem on an opposite side, and the valve body includes a fluid inlet intersecting the end surface of the projection. A rigid mounting plate has a first locating element adapted to locate the mounting plate with respect to the end surface on the projection. The mounting plate has a second locating element adapted to receive a fastener for attaching the mounting plate to the end surface of the projection. A clearance hole in the mounting plate is sized to receive the stem of the valve. The stem of the valve moves freely within the first clearance hole thus permitting the valve to move freely between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Waterjet Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Gaillard, Steve W. Balls
  • Patent number: 5873383
    Abstract: Three storage vessels 11-13 are stacked at positioned lower than a rainwater gutter 14. The rainwater gutter and the first storage vessel 11 are connected by a first supply passage 21, the second supply passage 22 connected to a lower face of the first storage vessel at one end thereof is provided with a supply valve 33 at the other end thereof. The third supply passage 23 provided with a nonreturn valve 43 is connected with a lower face of second and third storage vessels 12, 13 at one end thereof, and connected to a second supply passage at the other end thereof respectively. When the rainwaters stored in the first and second storage vessels go up in the water level up to over a predetermined water level, an overflow passage 41 leads the rainwater exceeding over the predetermined water level to the second and third storage vessels respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignees: Totetu Mfg. Co., Ltd., Sanyokogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takai, Mitsuhiko Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5853025
    Abstract: This invention deals with the problem of providing liquid for the windshield or windows of vehicles. In general, the job of filling an empty windshield container under the hood of the cars is a difficult task and can be dangerous. In order to prevent such a case, this application provides methods that allow the process of filling an existing windshield fluid container to be done from inside the vehicle or from another convenient area adjacent to the vehicle. This model allows a hand-held pump or an electrical pump to be used to pump the fluid from a windshield fluid container into the existing windshield fluid container. Therefore, it will eliminate the need to open the hood of the vehicle and to do a difficult task for this purpose. In some models, the windshield fluid container may be placed in the trunk of the vehicle and will have a switch on the dashboard in order to activate the pump to pump the fluid when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Yousef Daneshvar
  • Patent number: 5853160
    Abstract: An aerator valve assembly adapted to provide selective fluid communication between a supply of pressurized gas and a pressure vessel and adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the pressure vessel and a bulk material handling structure. The valve assembly includes a valve housing including a valve body, an end cap adapted to be connected to the supply of pressurized gas, and a piston seat having an outlet port adapted to provide fluid communication with the bulk material handling structure. The valve body includes a port adapted to provide fluid communication with the pressure vessel. A piston is located within a chamber of the valve body between the end cap and the piston seat. The piston is selectively slidable between an extended position wherein the piston creates a metal-to-metal seal with the piston seat to seal the outlet port closed and a retracted position wherein the seal is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Hurdis, James R. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 5814213
    Abstract: An improved skimming apparatus for skimming a two component liquid includes a housing mounted to a tank below the normal liquid level for the tank, an outlet for pumping fluid from the submerged housing and an intake structure extending upwardly from the submerged housing and defining an inlet for permitting inflow of liquid to the interior of the submerged housing. The intake structure includes an intake tube rotatably mounted to the housing at upper and lower ends. The intake tube rotates in response to variations of the liquid level in the housing, to vary the inlet size and hence the rate of inflow to the housing. An adjuster provides control over the variation of the inlet size, to accommodate different skimming rates for liquids of different temperatures. An intermediate tube surrounds the intake tube, and an outer tube surrounds the intermediate tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: James A. Glasgow
  • Patent number: 5806562
    Abstract: A fluid fill apparatus for bleeding air from a fluid reservoir includes a fluid tank and a connecting member. The fluid tank has an inlet and an outlet, and the connecting member has a first and second end. The first end is connected to the fluid tank, and the second end is connected to the fluid reservoir. The connecting member also has a fluid passage from the first end to the second end. The first end has a first orifice therein which a user causes to selectively communicate with the outlet such that fluid flows into said fluid passage, and the second end has a second orifice such that fluid in the fluid passage flows into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sae-Won Park
  • Patent number: 5792343
    Abstract: A brine supply system including a first brine tank to store diluted brine of a predetermined concentration to be supplied into an electrolytic brine treatment device and a second brine tank to store an amount of saturated brine at a predetermined concentration. When the level of diluted brine becomes a lower limit level, the first brine tank is supplied with fresh water from an external supply source of water until the level of diluted brine becomes an upper limit level and is intermittently supplied with a predetermined amount of the saturated brine from the second brine tank. Based on a previously memorized supply time of the fresh water, a supply frequency and a supply interval of the saturated brine for the memorized supply time are calculated to maintain the diluted brine at the predetermined concentration even when the first brine tank is being supplied with the fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujita, Koji Tsuchikawa, Yoshinori Kamitani
  • Patent number: 5780729
    Abstract: A engine fuel delivery system for vehicles under test, which effectively its the quantity of fuel under pressurization at any given time during a test sequence of the vehicle's engine. The system thus effectively reduces the magnitude of an explosion which may be caused by pressurization of fuel, and thus the scale of any damage, associated with any inadvertent detonation of pressurized engine fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael J. Escobar
  • Patent number: 5778922
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, device and method for dispensing fluids. Water and air are preferred. At least two tanks are preferably used for holding water under air pressure. In a preferred embodiment, one of the tanks is at a higher elevation than the second, so there is an additional pressure drop added to the pressure in the second or lower tank. The tanks have valves for introducing and discharging air under pressure. The tanks further include pipes extending into each to a point proximate one surface, such as the bottom, so that fluid enters and exits the container as close to the one surface as possible. Water is pumped into at least one of the containers to permit transfer of water between the tanks. Air hoses equalize pressure in the two containers. A discharge valve is employed for discharging fluid from one of the tanks under the equalized pressure. Prior to discharging any water, water and/or air is added to one of the tanks. The increase in pressure inside the tank is transferred to the other tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Carl Louis Schoultz
  • Patent number: 5770053
    Abstract: A draining apparatus drains and dries hydraulic equipment such as aircraft circuits. The draining equipment includes a reservoir connected to the equipment by a suction line. (Venturi 20) which produces a vacuum in the reservoir responsive to compressed air injected by a line from an external compressed air source. If a calibrated valve is connected to an inlet of the equipment then a branch line of the equipment supplies part of the compressed air to the inlet connection of the equipment so that pressure which enters the equipment is inadequate to produce an overpressure at an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventors: Henri Chotel, Max Roger, Alexis Albin
  • Patent number: 5738380
    Abstract: A fuel fill system for use on a tractor having a lower fuel tank provided with an upwardly projecting fuel fill neck and an upper tank connected to the lower tank for flow communication therewith is disclosed wherein a filler tube is sealed against the fuel fill neck to define the inlet opening for the introduction of fuel into the lower tank. The filler tube is provided with a distal elbow defining an outlet opening positioned below the upper tank to direct gaseous bubbles within the fuel away from the filler tube to collect in said fuel fill neck or in other remote parts of the upper and lower tanks. A vent hole is provided in the filler tube near the inlet opening to allow the fuel to rise within the fuel fill neck as the upper tank fills. An adapter is threaded onto the fuel fill neck to capture a flange formed on the filler tube at the inlet opening to seal the filler tube against the fuel fill neck. A detachable cap is threadably received on the adapter to close off the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall E. Zipser, Dennis L. White, Edward J. Hines
  • Patent number: 5715798
    Abstract: A fuel pump manifold for a fuel delivery system of an automotive internal combustion engine includes a unitary housing with a fluid conduit formed therein. Inlet and outlet ports communicate with the fluid conduit, which are adapted to be connected to the outlet of a fuel pump and a fuel supply line, respectively. The fuel pump manifold further includes a jet pump supply port communicating with the fluid conduit to feed a jet pump of the fuel delivery system. To prevent fuel from draining from the fuel supply line through the manifold, a check valve is disposed within the outlet port. A pressure relief is also disposed within the fuel pump manifold to relieve excessive pressure in the fuel supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Bacon, Robert G. Adams, Steven M. Shortis
  • Patent number: 5699840
    Abstract: A retention system is described for collecting substances from installations. This includes at least one outlet line which opens into at least one flexible container which is joined in am essentially pressure-tight manner. The container is attached to a pressure relief valve and serves as a pressure relief safety device for conducting away substances from the installation. The flexible container must be dimensioned at least so that in the filled state it has an internal volume such that the internal pressure of the joint system of outlet line and flexible container virtually corresponds to the external pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Alberti, Eberhard Ritter, deceased, Frank Westphal, Guido Wehmeier
  • Patent number: 5665226
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a substance collecting apparatus for a precipitation classifying device which is capable of automatically transmitting the classified substances to a next process in a sterile atmosphere even during a substance classifying operation is being performed, and in order to attain the object, the substance collecting apparatus comprises a pipe 15 whose one end is connected with a partitioned part 6 of a classifying tank side by way of a first electrovalve, while the other end is diverged into two ways, one of which is connected with a liquid-substance separating tube and having a third electrovalve 23 in the halfway thereof, whereas the other is connected with an exhausting side of a pump 24 and having a second electrovalve 22. The intake side of the pump 24 is further connected with a liquid reservoir tank 25, having in the halfway of the first pipe 15 a liquid flux regulating valve 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yugo Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 5647330
    Abstract: A fuel sender including a container in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle and, in the container, a filter, a fuel pump, a jet pump, and a pressure regulator. An upstream side of the filter and the fuel pump are connected through a first passage in a first end wall of the container. A downstream side of the filter is connected to an interior volume of the container through a convoluted second passage on a second end wall of the container. A pressure regulator on the second end wall of the container maintains fuel pressure at a substantially constant magnitude by variably restricting flow through the second passage. A venturi throat in the second passage aspirates fuel from the fuel tank into the container. The efficiency of the jet pump is maximized by minimizing the length of the convoluted second passage. Vibration isolating seals minimize the transfer of vibrations and pressure pulsations to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Grady Donald Jones, Sr., Dale Richard Jones, Bruce Albert Kuehnemund, Randall Lee Dockery
  • Patent number: 5590678
    Abstract: A system is provided for disposing of coolant/lubricant liquids containing production residue returned in gutters or the pipe lines to a collection space. A pressure resistant reservoir is provided with a liquid media inlet pipe opening into an upper reservoir area. The liquid media is sucked into the reservoir by an evacuation device connected to an upper reservoir area. The liquid media is fed from the bottom of the reservoir to a downstream collecting tank by means of a return pump. By sucking the liquid media into an upper area of the pressure resistant reservoir, the reservoir can be disposed above ground level while the gutters and collection space are disposed near or below ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: F & F Filter- Und Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Martinitz
  • Patent number: 5575307
    Abstract: In a device for the disposal of liquid media, such as cooling-lubricating liquids containing production residue, such as chips from industrial processes, wherein these media can be returned via at least one pipe line to a return reservoir and from there through a pipe line connected near the bottom to at least one collecting tank by means of at least one return pump, it is intended to prevent deposits of production residue in the return reservoir and to clean it. This is accomplished in that the return reservoir has the approximate shape of a standing circular cylinder, in which at least one pipe line supplying liquid media terminates approximately tangentially. Because of this a circulating flow of the liquid media is generated in the return reservoir, which cleans the interior wall of the return reservoir and prevents the deposit of production residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: F&F Filter- Und Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Martinitz, Klaus Santler
  • Patent number: 5546920
    Abstract: An arrangement for the supply of fuel to internal combustion engines with different mixing ratios of methanol and petrol, and continuous transition during operation between different mixtures thereof which arrangement includes a main tank (2) and a slave tank (4), which slave tank must be isolated from the main tank so that its mixing ratio is not varied by filling, enabling the engine to be started on the same fuel as that on which it was stopped. The engine is supplied with fuel by a fuel pump (7) arranged in the slave tank (4), which fuel pump also drives an ejector (6) arranged in the main tank (2), so that fuel is entrained from the main tank (2) to the slave tank (4). Only one fuel pump (7) is therefore required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Anders Johansson
  • Patent number: 5495936
    Abstract: A device for forming and retaining waterdrops is provided which comprises a water passage surface formed with a plurality of waterdrop retaining recesses. In use, water is supplied to the water passage surface and then drained off. As a result, waterdrops can be formed at the respective waterdrop retaining recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Clover Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 5427074
    Abstract: A main fuel tank in an automotive vehicle contains a reservoir in which is located a two-stage electrically operated pump. The first stage is a jet pump which draws fuel from the main tank and delivers it to the reservoir. The second stage is a rotary pump which draws from the reservoir and delivers to the vehicle engine. The reservoir has overflow restriction means which allows air to vent while the reservoir is filling but which restricts fuel flow when the reservoir is full. This creates pressure in the reservoir to create back pressure against and shut down flow from the jet pump and also increase pressure on the fuel inlet of the main pump thus increasing the efficiency of the main fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: Charles H. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 5417239
    Abstract: A fuel transfer control apparatus in a motor vehicle for automatically shutting off the transfer of fuel from an auxiliary tank to a main tank once the main tank is full and has begun to overflow. The transfer control apparatus is readily installed and includes a chamber having an inlet opening for receiving fuel overflow from the main tank and an outlet opening for connecting the main tank to an outside source of fuel. The transfer control apparatus also includes a sensor for monitoring the level of fuel in the chamber and a switch activated by the sensor for automatically stopping the transfer of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: James D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5368067
    Abstract: A system for recovering and recycling gases is disclosed having, in one aspect, inlet and outlet flow lines and controllers with an inflatable enclosure which, in one aspect, has a series of one or more inflatable rib stiffeners which, in one aspect, are inflatable by the gas to be stored. In one aspect the system does not present gas at an undesirable back pressure to the gas source. In one aspect a filtering relief valve is employed which prevents environmental airborne contamination from flowing back into the system when the relief valve is closing. In one aspect the system is for storing and re-using helium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joseph S. Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5360034
    Abstract: A dual fuel tank system for a vehicle including a fill limiter tee disposed in the fill limiter line of the main fuel tank through which fuel is transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank and fluid can flow between the two tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Raffi Der Manuelian
  • Patent number: 5357996
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control system comprising a first chamber, the pressure in which is to be controlled, a second chamber and a valve means for controlling communication between the first and second chambers. A controller is arranged such that, if the pressure in the first chamber differs from a required pressure, the controller i) operates the valve means to close off communication between the first and second chambers, ii) varies the pressure in the second chamber, iii) opens communication between the first and second chambers to deliver a discrete pressure step to the first chamber, and, iv) repeats i) to iii) until the pressure in the first chamber reaches a required level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Oxford GlycoSystems Limited
    Inventors: Antonis C. Ioannides, Alan Pindar